Football Fever: Where to Watch Your Team

Many Washingtonians aren’t actually from the area, which means not everyone cheers for the Redskins. If the NFL Sunday Ticket isn’t in your budget, check out these bars where you can watch and root for your team. We’ve got a bar for everyone from the Bengals to the Broncos to the Cowboys (yuck!). Read on for our list—and make sure to leave your football-bar suggestions in the comments at the bottom of the post!

Baltimore Ravens: Champion Billiards Sports CaféFrederick may not be the most convenient location if you live in or near DC, but having the chance to watch a game on one of Champion’s eight 42-inch flat-screen TVs or six 110-inch projection screens is worth the trip.

Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, New York Giants: 51st State Tavern, McFadden’s, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern51st State’s claim to fame is that it’s “DC’s only NY sports team bar.” The bar opens at 12:30 PM during football season, so head over and watch the game on nine TVs, including a 60-inch plasma screen. If you only support the Bills and don’t want to be surrounded by all the other New York team fanatics, try McFadden’s or Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Herndon. McFadden’s is a solid destination for Bills fans.

Carolina Panthers: 18th AmendmentPanthers fans have been gathering at the 18th Amendment for years. Enjoy food and drink specials at the bar and show your Panther pride.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bottom LineEnjoy game-day specials and watching the Bengals on 11 screens. More than 200 fans gather, but there’s always room for more.

Cleveland Browns: Lucky BarIt doesn’t beat watching the game from the Dawg Pound, but order a Big Ass Burger, and pick a spot in front of any of the 22 screens to cheer the Browns. For more info, check out the Washington chapter of the fan club.

Dallas Cowboys: My Brother’s Place, Mezza Luna CafeIf you don’t mind hanging out with a college crowd, head to My Brother’s Place to watch the Cowboys on nine TVs. Miller Lite bottles are $1.95 during every game. As for Mezza Luna, this friendly bar, which serves a delicious NFL Sunday brunch, isn’t exclusively pro-Dallas, but it is Washington’s best bet for finding Cowboys comrades. Make sure to greet the manager, rumored to be somewhat of a Dallas fan himself.

Denver Broncos: Cleveland Park Bar & Grill, Penn Quarter Sports TavernBroncos fans are far away from home in Washington but not far away from other displaced fans at Cleveland Park Bar & Grill. Head to the roof deck and feel at home, but arrive early because it gets packed. Additionally, a Denver Broncos Meetup group watches the game at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. Get the details here.

Detroit Lions: Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy, Capitol LoungeDetroit fans can enjoy $2.59 Bud Light drafts while watching the Lions at Tonic at Quigley’s. Stay out after 10 PM to celebrate the win and partake in half-price burgers. This year, a fan group is also watching the games every week at Capitol Lounge.

Green Bay Packers: Stetson’s, Hawk ’n’ DoveIf you don’t mind sharing the bar with other teams’ fans, Stetson’s shows the Packers on some of its nine TVs. Game-day specials include 25-cent wings, $3.50 Miller Lite drafts and bottles, and pitchers for $10.50. Another option is Nellie’s Sports Bar. Packers backers also come together every game day at the Hawk ’n’ Dove, where at least five TVs will be playing the Green Bay game. Try the special: bratwurst and sauerkraut with a side of German potato salad. It’s no Brat Stop, but it’s close.

Kansas City Chiefs: Grevey’sYou might have to buy a Bills or Skins fan a beer to get him (or her) to give up a booth with a TV, but Grevey’s Restaurant & Sports Bar will be your best bet for a Chiefs game.

Miami Dolphins: Glory Days GrillJust ask a bartender at Glory Days to put the big game on for you. The place doesn’t offer any specials, but if the game is on between 4 and 7, fans can enjoy happy hour. There’s also a DC Miami Dolphins Meetup group that organizes bar outings to watch the games.

Minnesota Vikings: Tortoise & HareIf you have a large group of Vikings fans, call ahead and the Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille will arrange special seating. If you’re going solo, no worries—the bar has many TVs so you can watch from any seat.

New England Patriots: Kelly’s Irish Times, Murphy’s PubWith Tom Brady sitting out the rest of the season, the Patriots need every fan’s support. Kelly’s is the weekly hub for New Englanders and the official bar for the Pats Fan Club. Members even receive specials on game day. Murphy’s in Alexandria was the home of the now-defunct Murphy’s Patriots Fan Club, but people still gather at the bar on game days.

New Orleans Saints: Penn Quarter Sports TavernTwo floors full of televisions and projection screens give Saints fans room to spread out and watch the game.

Oakland Raiders: The Ugly MugRaiders fans have more options than some other fans in the area. Members of the DC Metro Raiders Booster Club gather here weekly, while some fans fancy Sign of
the Whale in Falls Church or Stetson’s on U Street.

Philadelphia Eagles: Rhino Bar & Pumphouse“E-A-G-L-E-S” chants fill the Rhino Bar on game day. It recently added 20 new LCD flat screens so you can view the game from practically anywhere. Fans enjoy $8 domestic pitchers and 25-cent wings every Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Pour HouseHome of DC Steeler Nation, Pour House is the local watering hole for the black-and-gold faithfuls. Fans fill three floors, but most of the action takes place on the main level. Everyone is rowdy but polite—unless you’re sporting another team’s jersey. Stick around after a win for some extra entertainment provided by Steeler Nation members.

San Diego Chargers: Hard Times Cafe (Clarendon), Bailey’s Pub & Grille (Ballston)Hard Times Cafe offers game-day specials for Bolts fans. Grab a booth, try some chili, and enjoy the game. Bailey’s has a fan group that meets weekly for games.

Seattle SeahawksFans faced with a lack of options for Seahawk bars are planning a Meetup at ESPN Zone to watch the game. If you want to get in on the fun with fellow Seahawks supporters, sign up here.

Our apologies to any other teams that don’t have a bar to call home on game days, but luckily, many area bars show all of the games. Upon arrival, ask a bartender where to see your team, and enjoy being surrounded by football fans, even if they don’t cheer for the same team.

Crystal City Sports PubWatch your team from any of the three floors, but check out the third-floor club level, which houses one ten-foot and two eight-foot projection screens, 28 42-inch LCDs, and six 37-inch LCD televisions.

If you know of any bars that show games for the following teams, please pass along the information in the comments: